How to Treat People Right

James 2:

James 2:1–13 NIV84

1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

James 2:8 NIV84

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

I. THE PRINCIPLE: DON’T SHOW PARTIALITY.

James 2:1 NIV84

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.

Favoritism: Giving Special Treatment to a person or group of people.

James 2:2–4 NLT

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

James

II. THE PROBLEM: SHOWING PARTIALITY IS WRONG

1. Favoritism is UN-CHRISTIAN.

Romans 2:11 NLT

11 For God does not show favoritism.

Acts 10:34 NLT

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

Acts 10:

Ephesians 6:9 NLT

9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Colossians 3:25 NLT

25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

2. Favoritism is UN-REASONABLE.

James 2:5–6 NLT

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

3. Favoritism is UN-LOVING.

James 2:8–9 NLT

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James

1 John 4:20 NLT

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

James 2:10–13 NLT

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. 12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

James 2:

If we break part of the Law, We break it all

III. THE FORMULA: HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT

1. ACCEPT EVERYONE

Romans 15:7 NLT

7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

2. APPRECIATE EVERYONE

Philippians 2:3–5 NLT

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

3. AFFIRM EVERYONE

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.